Chicago-style politics by President Obama: Letters to the Editor for Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012

Re "Obama did the right thing by appointing CFPB chief" (Comment, Jan. 6):

Apparently, respecting the U.S. Constitution didn't make it on to President Obama's 2012 New Year's resolution list, as evidenced by his recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. I believe that was just a cover, as later Obama made three additional appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, which has become little more than a Big Labor organization under this president. Obama first announced these three NLRB nominees on Dec. 15. They haven't been filibustered. They haven't had their backgrounds checked and no hearings have been scheduled by the Democratic Senate. This is called Chicago-style politics at its worst and the media is only focusing on the Cordray appointment. The NLRB is now stacked with union cronies.

-- James Colln, Bellflower

Obama bypasses Congress

Re "Obama right on appointment" (Letters, Jan. 9):

So the letter writer thinks that Obama was right on appointment of Richard Cordray. Think again. The Constitution provides for a recess appointment in Section 5 of Article 1 of the Constitution that says that neither house of Congress can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other house. The House of Representatives had not formally adjourned. The Republicans blocked the nomination because they wanted changes to the bureau. This bureau was created without Congress' approval and Congress will have no oversight or approval of funding. This bureau will answer to the president only and will be funded by the Federal Reserve. This, together with his recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, is a blatant thumb in your eye to Congress.

-- Judy Davidson, Long Beach

No cuts, 'Governor Moonbeam'

Re "Brown's budget is a fantasy, not a reality" (Comment, Jan. 9):

Cuts, cuts, cuts, says Jerry Brown. Must raise citizen taxes otherwise more cuts, cuts, cuts. Education cuts; public safety cuts; and cuts to courts, fire departments, park rangers and lifeguards. Increase tuition at state colleges and universities. It's going to be tough, but these are tough times. California citizens have to tighten their belts, pay more to government and live within their means. Oh, but at the same time, provide a part two of the Dream Act entitlement for illegal immigrants -- adding to the billions that illegal immigration is already costing state taxpayers. Anyone voting for Governor Moonbeam's new tax bill is insane.

-- Mike Rosenberg, Valley Village

Sleazeball tactics

Re "Brown's budget is a fantasy, not a reality" (Comment, Jan. 9):

Why is Gov. Jerry Brown acting like a Somali pirate by holding California schools hostage to get his tax hike ballot measure passed? This is sleazeball politics at its worst. I don't buy it, and I am tired of these veiled threats forcing one to vote a certain way on ballot propositions.

-- Bob Peppermuller, North Hollywood

Nadex responds

The article provides a misguided view into the new political event contracts proposed by Nadex. Author Norma Strobel suggests that gambling syndicates could somehow manipulate the market, using big money to obtain huge profits. This ignores all the protections against manipulation that exist on a regulated exchange.

For example, mandated position limits for these contracts significantly restrict the potential economic gain for any individual. Ms. Strobel also suggests candidates can buy/sell contracts on themselves. First of all, that's just silly. Further, Nadex precludes anyone directly involved with the election from trading.

I appreciate the concerns expressed by Ms. Strobel; however, these concerns derive from a misunderstanding of the contracts. We believe investors, regardless of size, should be allowed to take a position on the most important national election results in 2012.

-- Yossi Beinart, ChicagoThe letter writer is CEO of NADEX, the North American Derivatives Exchange

Church encourages military service

Re "Romney's sons and the military" (Letters, Jan. 8):

Does the letter writer know for a fact that Gov. Romney's sons have not been in, or are not now in the armed forces? Please make sure of your information before making suppositions. The church he belongs to encourages its young men to serve their country. My grandson just returned home from Afghanistan. We don't have the draft anymore. No one has to hide -- even if they could.

-- Pattye J. Nickell, Wilmington

A reality check

President Obama appears to be having trouble dealing with reality. He talks about the past three years being successful. The truth is, he inherited a mess from former President George W. Bush, but Obama made things worse. Look at unemployment and the national debt. Those figures are worse than the day Obama took office. If Obama is claiming success when his efforts have clearly failed, that isn't reality, it's delusional. President Obama needs time off to get a grip on reality.

-- Thomas Spencer, Sylmar

Power plan demonstration

Now is the time to show our opposition to another 50 years of re-industrialization on the waterfront. This will be the defining year for the future of the AES Redondo, and the South Bay's support or opposition will be the determining factor. AES will file its application with the California Energy Commission to license the new power plant in Redondo Beach and bid for a long-term contract with the California Public Utilities Commission and Southern California Edison to provide power to California. Please join us Jan. 21 from noon-1 p.m. at the No Power Plant Rally at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Herondo Street to oppose plans for a new polluting power plant in Redondo Beach. A new power plant is incompatible with our densely populated waterfront, marring the community and exposing us to a substantial increase in pollution.

-- Christine Wike, Hermosa Beach

Grounds for deportation

Immigrants who come to the United States and remain here without obtaining citizenship face serious consequences. The 17-year-old Korean boy who received a two-year sentence for the vehicular death of the Marymount professor faces strict immigration laws that will deport him and make him ineligible for re-entry to this country. The article implied this young man is not a citizen even though he has lived here more than 10 years. Failure to go through the process of naturalization, which would have given him citizenship through his parents, will now force deportation under "moral turpitude crimes."